“He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol. Deliver him from going down to the pit. (Job 33:18, 24)

“Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit.” (Isaiah 14)

B. Korah and his company rebelled against Moses and were given the most severe judgment.

“the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up…and they went down alive into Sheol”. (Numbers 16:31-33)

C. After Samuel’s death, he returns briefly via a medium to speak with King Saul

Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” (1 Samuel 28)

D. Isaiah declares:

“Sheol, from beneath is excited over you to meet you when you come…have you been brought down to Sheol;” (Isaiah 14:9, 11)

E. Jesus Christ following his crucifixion.

“three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40)

“descended into the lower parts of the earth.” (Ephesians 4:9)

IV. Sheol has ­­­­­­­­­­ MULTIPLE chambers (Prov. 7:27)

A. Tartarus “Angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal chains under darkness for the judgment…” “..but cast them down to ‘Tartarus’ “ (Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4)

“Throw them into the furnace of fire,…weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 13:42,50)

3. Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire…prepared for the devil…” (Matt. 25:41)

4. Synonymous with the “Lake of Fire” (Rev. 19:20; 20:14)

What Happens to Believers & Non-believers now when they die?Illustration Diagram based on Scriptures

False Doctrine of Universalism:

Universalism is the teaching that God, through the atonement of Jesus, will ultimately bring reconciliation between God and all people throughout history. This reconciliation will occur regardless of whether they have trusted in or rejected Jesus as savior during their lifetime. This universal redemption will be realized in the future where God will bring all people to repentance. This repentance can happen while a person lives or after he has died and lived again in the millennium or some future state. Additionally, a few Universalists even maintain that Satan and all demons will likewise be reconciled to God.The Bible speaks of a great number being saved, but ‘relatively few compared’ to all that have ever lived.Rev. 5: 9 Thou didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people….Matt. 7:13, 14 The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few there be who find it.Matt. 22:14 For many are called but few are chosen.

Luke 13:24 Are there but a few who are being saved? ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’

Romans 9:27 Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sands of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved

1 Peter 3:20 in the days of Noah, …a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

Rev. 17:14 Those who are with Him are the called, the chosen and faithful.

False Doctrine of Annihilation:

This false doctrine states that the unsaved do not suffer “everlasting destruction” but are annihilated and as a result cease to exist. This doctrine denies the eternal nature of the human soul/spirit which is made in the image and likeness of God. It, like Universalism, is wishful thinking of those who refuse the direct teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.

A. The same word ‘everlasting’(Greek: “aionios”) modifies/ both ‘life’ and ‘punishment’ (Matt. 25:46) Therefore to ascribe a different meaning to the same word is inconsistent with reason.

B. The concept of annihilation of the human soul (ceasing to exist any longer) is not supported scripturally.

1. The texts, used by “Annihilationists, are based on the use of the Greek word “apollumi”. This word does not mean cessation of existence but: “ruin, lost, waste, ongoing destruction, penalty.”

Thayer(author of Thayer’s ‘Greek/English Lexicon) was himself a Unitarian, not believing in Jesus Christ, Heaven or Hell. So, with no religious bias, he clearly states as a matter of accurate Greek scholarship that the word ‘apollumi’ never means cessation of existence.